with Mary Jo Capps05–09 July 2018 (5 days)

Clarendon Trio (Australia). Photo Courtesy of Musica Viva

SHORT BREAKS 2018

Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition

Goldmund Quartet (Germany). Photo Courtesy of Musica VivaMosa Trio (The Netherlands/Belgium). Photo Courtesy of Musica Viva

TOUR LEADER

Mary Jo Capps has worked in the Australian cultural industry for more than 30 years after graduating with an MA in Musicology from the University of Toronto, Canada.

She has been a consultant to major Australian arts companies and orchestras such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Company B Belvoir Theatre, Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Since joining Musica Viva as Chief Executive Officer in 1999, she has worked towards broadening the access to and understanding of fine music throughout Australia, supported by strong community partnerships.

Dear Chamber Music Lover,

Being witness to the start of an epic creative journey is an incredible thrill. It’s for this reason that I am very excited to be leading a tour of fellow music lovers to the 2018 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition this July.

Held only once every four years, this internationally renowned competition showcases the world’s highest-calibre emerging chamber ensembles.

I have been privileged enough to have been attending this event since 1999 and have always been astounded by the remarkable musicianship of these young performers. This will be the first year that Musica Viva will be managing the Competition, so it feels rather appropriate for me to be leading a group of enthusiasts who will be able to share in the excitement of this event with me.

I’m so looking forward to sharing this very special event with you.

Mary Jo CappsCEO, Musica Viva Australia

Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition

At a glance…• Premium category seats to the semi-finals and grand finals at the Australian

National Academy of Music and the Melbourne Recital Centre

• Enjoy a performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simone Young and featuring internationally-renowned German violinist Kolja Blacher

• Enrich your experience of the Competition with the insights of Mary Jo Capps, CEO of Musica Viva

• Attend an enlightening panel discussion including contestants, judges and other music experts

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Thursday 05 July 2018 Arrive MelbourneArrive in Melbourne and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements.

Join Mary Jo and fellow travellers for an early evening welcome reception along Southbank’s promenade. Afterwards, head to Hamer Hall for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Masters Series concert featuring celebrated Australian conductor Simone Young, and acclaimed violinist Kolja Blacher performing Britten’s Violin Concerto and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 on his 1730 Stradivari. R

Fri 06 Jul MelbourneToday, depart for the Australian National Academy of Music for a full day of recitals as part of the semi-final round of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

Five string quartets and five piano trio ensemble finalists will each perform a complete work of either Beethoven or Schubert, showcasing their mastery of seminal works of the late Classical era.

B D

Sat 07 Jul MelbourneIn the morning, attend a panel discussion with Mary Jo Capps and leading artists of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the arts and spaces of Melbourne. If you wish, attend a special performance by the ensembles of the Competition in an unexpected setting not usually open to the public. We also suggest you visit the ‘Masterworks of MoMA’ exhibition currently on at the National Gallery of Victoria.

B

Sun 08 Jul MelbourneSpend a morning at leisure. Then, attend a pre-performance reception with Mary Jo and fellow travellers.

Following lunch, join chamber music connoisseurs at the Melbourne Recital Centre for the final round recitals of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. Three piano trio ensembles will perform a selected complete work of choice, with one ensemble awarded the first prize award of $22,500.

In the evening, return to the Melbourne Recital Centre for the string quartet finals, where each of the three quartets will perform a complete work of the quartet’s choice, with the winning ensemble awarded $30,000. A final Grand Prize will be awarded to either the winning string quartet or piano trio which includes a 2019 performance tour of Australia and an additional $30,000. Following the presentations, celebrate the conclusion of the Competition at the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition after-party at the Melbourne Recital Centre. B R

Mon 09 Jul Depart MelbourneTour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements. B

2018 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition ensemblesAmatis Piano Trio – The Netherlands/Germany/UKBukolika Piano Trio – PolandClarendon Trio – AustraliaMerz Trio – Australia/USAMosa Trio – The Netherlands/BelgiumTrio Gaon – Germany/South KoreaTrio Marvin – Russia/Kazakhstan/GermanyTrio Sõra – France/Latvia

Gildas Quartett – UKBaum Quartett – South KoreaCallisto Quartet – USAEliot Quartett – Austria/Russia/GermanyGoldmund Quartet – GermanyIdomeneo Quartet – Belgium/Hungary/SpainQuatour Agate – FranceThaleia Quartet – Japan

About the Melbourne International Chamber Music CompetitionEstablished in 1991 and staged every four years, the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition is one of the world’s greatest chamber music launching pads, providing a place for young emerging international ensembles to find recognition and career development opportunities. The 2018 Competition will mark a turning point in the competition’s history with its delivery for the first time by Australia’s leading chamber music organisation Musica Viva, in partnership with the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Australian National Academy of Music. First, second and third prizes, and a Grand Prize, will be awarded to the finalists of the string quartets and piano trio ensembles, with a total prize pool of over $150,000. Judges for the competition include cellist Kyril Zlotnikov of the Jerusalem Quartet, violinist Simin Ganatra of the Pacifica Quartet, former violinist of the Alban Berg Quartet Gerhard Schultz, and eminent Australian pianist and composer Ian Munro.

Maestro Simone Young. Photo: Klaus Lefebvre

Tour pricesPer person, twin-share AUD 2,950

Single supplement* AUD 350

Deposit per person (at time of booking) AUD 500

Final payment due 21 May 2018

*Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking.

Tour code MV1801

Fitness level Moderate

Please see booking conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested flightsPlease contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Your hotelTravelodge Hotel Melbourne Southbank

The Travelodge Southbank offers 275 comfortable rooms, all with a kitchenette. A full buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s dining room each morning. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available and reception is open 24/7. The hotel is situated close to restaurants, cafés and bars (chargeback facilities available with some restaurants) and is a 7-minute walk from the Arts Centre Melbourne.

NB. Hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

Tour price includes• Premium-reserve tickets to the semi-final and grand final

performances of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, as well as a performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simone Young

• Briefings throughout by your tour leader, Musica Viva CEO Mary Jo Capps

• Accommodation at a centrally-located hotel with breakfast daily ( B )

• Complimentary programme booklet, access to VIP lounge during the Competition, and interval drinks at the Australian National Academy of Music and the Melbourne Recital Centre

• Return coach transfers to the Australian National Academy of Music. All other venues are within walking distance from the hotel.

• Meals as per itinerary ( R = Reception, D = Dinner); including wines with meals

• Hotel porterage (one piece per person)• Tips and gratuities

Tour price does not include• Flights to/from Melbourne (please contact Renaissance Tours

or your travel agent for assistance)• Airport/hotel transfers on arrival and departure• Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry, taxis,

minibar, room service etc.• Travel insurance (recommended; please contact Renaissance

Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Brochure effective 04 April 2018

Travel agent

You can find the full terms & conditions on the Renaissance Tours booking form. They can also be found at www.renaissancetours.com.au/booking-conditions or we would be happy to post you a copy on request.

SHORT BREAKS 2018

1300 727 095 (AU) 0800 403 621 (NZ) call (+61 2) 9299 5801 fax (+61 2) 9299 5805 email info@renaissancetours.com.au visit renaissancetours.com.au

Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001 ABN 14 069 591 448

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Photos Courtesy of Musica Viva

Please return pages 1 and 2 to: GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001, Australia or info@renaissancetours.com.au Toll free AU 1300 727 095 or NZ 0800 403 621 Tel: +61 2 9299 5801 Fax: +61 2 9299 5805

www.renaissancetours.com.au

• Please complete, sign and return this Booking Form, along with a copy of page one of your passport (international tours only and deposit. NOTE: Flight bookings cannot proceed without passport copy. This is an airline security requirement.

• Complete credit card authority (if paying by credit card) OR forward a (deposit) cheque (made payable to Renaissance Tours).

• Upon receipt of your Booking Form and deposit, you will receive confirmation of your place on the tour(s) from Renaissance Tours.

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medicAl declArATiON What medical conditions do you currently have and/or have you received treatment for in the past three years? (e.g. stroke, heart, respiratory and psychiatric conditions). Attach extra pages, if necessary. The purpose of seeking this information is to assist Renaissance Tours in determining the suitability of a tour participant for a particular tour. The information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Title (Ms, Mrs, Mr, Dr or Other) Hon Family name (as in passport)

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Preferred name DOB

Email

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SPeciAl dieTAry requiremeNTS / AllerGieS Yes No

medicAl declArATiON What medical conditions do you currently have and/or have you received treatment for in the past three years? (e.g. stroke, heart, respiratory and psychiatric conditions). Attach extra pages, if necessary. The purpose of seeking this information is to assist Renaissance Tours in determining the suitability of a tour participant for a particular tour. The information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

FiTNeSS TO PArTiciPATe declArATiON (Please tick)

I have read, understood and confirm that I meet the:

MODERATE ABOVE AVERAGE CHALLENGING fitness level to participate on this tour.

Booking conditions

I have read, understood and accept the Booking conditions on page 3. I have enclosed the deposit and understand that the balance of the tour cost must be paid at least 60 days prior to departure (45 days prior for domestic tours) or my reservation may be cancelled.

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AirFAre – WOuld yOu liKe TO receiVe A quOTe FrOm uS?

Yes No

Economy Premium Economy Business Class First Class

ciTy OF dePArTure

Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Other

FrequeNT Flyer NumBer AirliNe SeAT PreFereNce

AccOmmOdATiON

Double Twin Single If single, would you like us to arrange twin-share?

TrAVel iNSurANce – WOuld liKe TO receiVe A BrOchure?

Yes No

Pre/POST TOur ArrANGemeNTS Please advise if you would like Renaissance Tours to organise any pre/post tour arrangements (e.g. earlier departure, later return, additional accommodation/flights, etc)

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hOW did yOu heAr ABOuT ThiS TOur?

dO yOu WANT TO receiVe Our e-NeWSleTTer? yes No

Payment by cash, cheque, direct deposit, American Express, MasterCard and Visa is accepted. 1.5% service charge applies to payment made by MasterCard and Visa. 3% service charge applies to payment made by American Express. Payments for some international airfares can be made by credit card without a service fee. Please check for details.

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Swift code: CTBAAU2S (use for transfers from overseas)

1. TOUR PRICESPrices quoted in our tour information are based on exchange rates, cost of services and applicable taxes at the time of publication. Prices may be subject to change in the event of significant currency fluctuations or the introduction of new taxes, up until final payment is received. In the event of a price increase, whether because of a currency fluctuation, increase in taxes or a correction in advertised prices, we will advise you and you have the option of accepting the amended prices, inclusions and booking conditions or withdrawing from the tour and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. Once final payment is received, all prices (excluding air taxes) will be guaranteed and no surcharges will apply.

2. PAYMENTYour final payment is due 60 days before departure (45 days prior for domestic tours). Failure to make your final payment by the due date may result in cancellation of your booking and loss of deposit. We reserve the right to charge a late payment fee in the event of late booking and/or payment to cover additional communication and other expenses.

For tours that include international flights in the tour cost, the international airfare payment is due 120 days before departure.

3. FLIGHT BOOKINGS AND FARES Renaissance Tours will use its best endeavours to ensure that all flight prices are correct at the time that they are quoted. However, once a deposit is paid on an air fare, it guarantees that a booking is being held for you, it does not guarantee the fare and applicable taxes.

The fare and taxes can only be guaranteed when the flight booking has been paid in full and a ticket has been issued. Flight bookings cannot be transferred.

4. CHANGESa) Changes by You – Because of additional communication and other expenses, we reserve the right to charge an appropriate administration fee per amendment to your original booking. While every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate changes and additional requests their availability cannot be guaranteed.

b) Changes by Us – While we will use our best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised, by entering into this contract the Client accepts that it may prove necessary or advisable to vary or modify a tour or its contents due to prevailing local conditions. We reserve the right at any time to cancel or change any of the facilities, services or prices described in the brochure (including flights, transport, accommodation or other arrangements) and to substitute alternative arrangements of comparable monetary value without compensation.

If a service or facility becomes unavailable due to circumstances beyond our control (‘force majeure’) and no alternative arrangement of comparable monetary value is available, we will substitute the best alternative available and will refund the Client for any cost saving or charge the Client for any additional costs incurred. ‘Force majeure’ includes any event which Renaissance Tours or its suppliers could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid (e.g. advice against travel from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, epidemics, health risks, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, technical or maintenance problems with transport, changes imposed by cancellation or rescheduling of flights by an airline or main charterer, the alteration of airline or aircraft type). Renaissance Tours is not liable for any penalty charges associated with ‘supersaver’ type connecting rail or air fares, in the event of a change to a holiday departure time, date or airport.

5. SUBSTITUTION OF CLIENTIf any member of the party is prevented from travelling because of the death, injury or serious illness of the passenger, close relative or friend, redundancy or jury service, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another suitable person (acceptable to Renaissance Tours) provided that written notice is given at least one calendar month prior to departure. An administration fee of $100 + GST per person will be levied plus any costs imposed by our suppliers. Airlines may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

6. CANCELLATIONa) Cancellation by You – Cancellation charges will be applied as shown below, calculated from the day written notification is received by Renaissance Tours. In addition to the charges shown below airlines may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

International Tours60 days or more Forfeit of deposit* 59 – 45 days 25% of tour cost 44 – 31 days 50% of tour cost 30 – 15 days 75% of tour cost Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost

Domestic Tours45 days or more Forfeit of deposit* 44 – 31 days 50% of tour cost 30 – 15 days 75% of tour cost Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost

* Includes any flight deposit paid.

The above cancellation charges include applicable GST.

In addition to the above cancellation charges, the full insurance premium together with any existing administration fees is also payable in the event of a cancellation by the Client. If the reason for cancellation is covered by the insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

b) Cancellation by Us – We reserve the right to cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to reach minimum tour participant numbers). Except for force majeure (as outlined in clause 4b) or the Client’s failure to pay the final balance, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure for international tours and 45 days before departure for domestic tours. Unless the Client fails to pay the final balance, we will return all monies paid, excluding payment for travel insurance and administration fees. No compensation will be paid in the event of cancellation by Renaissance Tours. A full refund of monies paid for tour costs will be the full extent of our liability. Airlines may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

7. PASSPORTS, VISAS AND VACCINATIONSIt is your responsibility to be in possession of a passport valid for 6 months after the date of your return to Australia. You are also responsible for obtaining all necessary visas, innoculations and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour. Information about these matters or related items is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of Renaissance Tours.

8. ILLNESS OR DISABILITYAnyone suffering from illness or disability or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the tour. Failure to make such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and result in such persons being excluded from the tour in which case all monies paid will be forfeit.

9. LOCAL LAWSAll participants of the tours we operate are expected to obey the laws and regulations of the countries visited and any failure to do so will relieve Renaissance Tours of all obligations that they may otherwise have under these booking conditions.

10. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINTIf you have a complaint about any of the tour arrangements, you must bring it to the attention of the tour leader or other representative of Renaissance Tours at the time so that they may use their best endeavours to rectify the situation. It is only if we are made aware of any problems that there will be the opportunity to put things right. Any complaints must be made in writing to Renaissance Tours within 28 days of the completion of the tour.

11. OUR RESPONSIBILITIESAll bookings are accepted on the understanding that the Client appreciates that travel does involve some risk and that they undertake all tours of their own volition.

i) Renaissance Tours accepts liability should any part of the tour arrangements booked with us not be supplied as described in the brochure(s) and not be of reasonable standard. In such a case, we will pay reasonable compensation if the Client’s enjoyment of the tour has been adversely affected but will pay no compensation if there has been no fault on the part of Renaissance Tours or our suppliers and the reason for the failure in the tour arrangements was the Client’s fault, the actions of someone unconnected with the tour arrangements or could not have been foreseen or avoided by Renaissance Tours or its suppliers even if all due care had been exercised.

ii) Our acceptance of liability to pay compensation pursuant to clause 11(i) is limited, in the case of air travel, rail travel, sea travel or hotel accommodation, to the amount set out in the provisions of, respectively, the Warsaw Convention as amended by the Hague Protocol 1955, the 1961 Berne Convention, the 1974 Athens Convention and the 1962 Paris Convention.

iii) Our acceptance of liability in clauses 11(i) and 11(ii) above is subject to assignment by the Client to Renaissance Tours of the Client’s rights against any agent, supplier or sub-contractor of Renaissance Tours which is in any way responsible for the unsatisfactory tour arrangements.

FITNESS TO PARTICIPATE

Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness.

However, in certain destinations (e.g. Silk Road, Central Asia, Outback Australia, tropical destinations) or in certain seasons (e.g. mid-winter, mid-summer) or because of the nature of travel (eg. remote rail), certain tours will require an ABOVE AVERAGE or CHALLENGING level of fitness.

If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to have a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate.

MODERATEfor the overall benefit of the group, all tour members must possess a moderate level of mobility, including the ability to:• negotiate airports and railway stations without

wheelchair assistance• use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible

to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)• undertake walking tour of 1–2 hours duration,

including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces

• stand for long periods in museums and other sites• embark / disembark coaches, trains and other

methods of transportation without assistance

• handle your own luggage

ABOVE AVERAGEIn addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:• Undertake walking tours of 2–3 hours• climb staircases of 100 or more steps

CHALLENGINGIn addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:• Handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or

above 35 degrees) • handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 m and above).

TRAVEL INSURANCEIt is highly recommended that you are covered by travel insurance for domestic tours.

However, it is a condition of travel that you are covered by comprehensive travel insurance for international tours. You can make your own arrangements or your travel insurance can be arranged by Renaissance Tours. In either case all participants must provide the following information no later than 60 days prior to commencement of travel:• a copy of your travel insurance policy (or details of

master policy)

• the emergency telephone number of your insurance company

• next of kin emergency contact.

toll free 1300 727 095 (AU) toll free 0800 403 621 (NZ) call (02) 9299 5801 fax (02) 9299 5805 email info@renaissancetours.com.au visit www.renaissancetours.com.au

Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001 ABN 14 069 591 448

Booking form Page 3 of 3